Self-Storage Tenants Now Stay Nearly Twice as Long as Pre-Pandemic Renters
2026-05-20
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The average self-storage tenant now stays in a unit for roughly 18-19 months, according to a 2026 industry trends analysis, compared with a 2017 report that found average stays closer to 9-14 months in the years before the pandemic.
The same analysis found that REIT-advertised rents in January 2026 ran roughly 7.5% below non-REIT operator pricing, suggesting larger operators are leaning on competitive pricing to protect occupancy amid slower household formation. Realized rents across REITs increased just 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting a more cautious pricing environment than in prior years.
Longer average tenant stays reduce facility turnover, which the report suggests is pushing operators to rely more heavily on pricing discipline and existing-customer rate management to drive revenue growth, rather than the higher turnover-driven leasing activity common in the years immediately following the pandemic.
For renters, longer typical stays mean it's worth sizing a unit carefully upfront rather than planning to size up quickly. Our free SpacU Fit Score calculator factors in your full inventory so you can rent the right size the first time.